Scope



H. M. cARscALLEN Er Al. 2,430,862

scoPE Filed July '7, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 18, 1.947.

INVENTORS, Hilf/wv M Cn/asc/ Le/v Y ,9m/ F. Newro/v BY Wp, MIM? ATTORN YS.

Patented Nov. 18, 1947 f SCOPE Henry M. Carscallen and Ray F. Newton, Redwood City, Calif.; said Newton assignor to said Carscallen Application July 7, 1945, Serial No. 603,650

This invention relates to scopes, such as are employed in the photographic, printing, drafting and stencil industries, etc., where an illuminated. surface is desired for examining negatives, prints, drawings, stencils and the like that are placed on such surface or for doing work on the material that is placed on said surface.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a compact, simple scope for the purposes above described that has a more efcient, durable, uniform and cooler illuminated surface than heretofore has been provided.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a scope adapted to produce a relatively cool white illuminated surface free from objectionable spotty light areas and which scope is adapted to accommodate the backing sheet of a conventional stencil while the latter is on the illuminated surface and without distorting the said backing sheet.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a scope having a working top that comprises a sheet of light transmitting material having a working surface and which sheet is illuminated through one or more edges thereof and is formed for emission of the light rays through the working surface.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the drawings and in the description.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a scope that is illustrative of the invention, the top of the scope being partly broken away and in section to show interior structure.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken along line 2 2 of Fig. 1, a stencil sheet with its backing sheet being shown diagrammatically in position on the scope, the same being spaced from the adjacent parts of the scope for clarity.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the fluorescent lamp bulbs in a circuit.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of one of the locking keys taken along line 6--6 of Fig. 3.

The particular scope illustrated is adapted for use in practically any industry where an illuminated surface is desired including the stencil industry Vin which the conventional stencil comprises a backing sheet of fairly heavy opaque material. .Such backing sheet is rectangular and elongated and one edge of a rectangular wax coated tissue forming the stencil sheet is secured to one end of the backing sheet. The backing sheet and stencil may be placed in a typewriter for cutting the desired printing through the wax 12 Claims. (Cl. 45-131) on the stencil sheet or else a stylus may be used for cutting through the wax to produce the desired writing, lettering, picture, design, etc.

In making the stencil for printing a scope is frequently used to observe the work on the sheet or to do certain work on said sheet or to make alterations or corrections on the sheet. In doing this the backing sheet has heretofore been awkward to handle and frequently the stencil sheet or backing sheet have been mutilated or separated from each other with the result of appreciable loss in time and material. Therefore, as above stated, this scope is designed to take care of the backing sheet where the scope is used in connection with making of stencils.

In detail the scope illustrated in the drawings comprises a housing having a bottom wall l, opposed side walls 2, 3, opposedv end walls 4, 5 and a top wall 6. y

The top wall 6, side walls 2, 3 and end walls d, 5 are preferably integrally formed and removable as a unit from the bottom Wall l.

The top and bottom walls are rectangular and elongated and the end and side walls are relatively narrow. Merely as an example, in a housing in which the top and bottom walls are respectively about 12 x 18 inches in size, the height of the side Walls from the top to the bottom sides of the top and bottom walls may be only about l 1/2 inches and by the structure employed herein a substantial increase in the dimensions of the top and bottom walls may occur without any necessity for increasing the height of the side and end walls. From this it will be seen that a scope of relatively large size will be relatively thin.

The bottom wall has a pair of apertured lugs 'l secured thereto along its end edge that is adjacent end wall ll and said end wall has pins B secured thereto. The lugs 1 project upwardly from the bottom wall and pins 8 project laterally and inwardly from end wall 4 to extend through the apertures in said lugs. In this manner the lugs and pins function to support the endof the housing on the bottom Wall and to position the housing properly on said bottom wall as well as removably securing said housing and bottom wall together.

The end wall 5 that is opposite end wall Il carries a pair of rotary locking keys Ill that extend through end wall 5. The heads l2 of said keys are outside wall 5 and are slotted for turning by a screw driver or any similar blade or instrument. The ends of the keys projecting inside the housing may be cylindrical with grooves i3 (Fig. 1) formed in opposite sides thereof.

Upstanding lugs I4 are secured to bottom wall l. along the end edge thereof that is adjacent wall 5, said lugs being formed with upwardly opening slots that are enlarged at their lower ends `like keyhole slots. The sides of such slots above the enlarged lower ends of said slots are adapted to be received in the' grooves in the sides of the keys IIJ for downward sliding of the pins until they reach the enlarged lower ends of said grooves after which the keys may be turned a quarter of a turn to prevent the upward movement of the keys, thereby locking the top, side and end walls of the housing to the bottom wall. l

The top Wall 6 is formed with opening therein that is preferably rectangular and elongated longitudinally of said top wall. This opening lis for a sheet 20 of light transmitting material preferably transparent material such as one of the clear plastic materials or glass.

Preferably the upper side of sheet 2i! is at and the marginal portions thereof along its longitudinal edges and the end edge' adjacent wall are rabbete'd as at 2| to receive therein the marginal portions of the top wall 5 around the corresponding d edges of the opening for 4said sheet 20 whereby the upper surfaces of the sheet 20 and vof the top* wal-l 6 are coplanar and any material laid on the top of thesco-pe will be level and lfully supportedY for lying hat.

rrIhe bottom wall I carries a pair of opposedly opening channel strips 25 that 4are parallel and secured to bottom l below the opposite vlongitudinally extending edges of the sheet 2l) (Fig. 4). The sheet 20 is supported along its opposite longitudinally extending marginal portions on strip 2.5 and upstan'ding ,projections 2S Amay be at the ends of saidfst'rips that are remote from wall 5 (Fi'gs. 2, 4) fo'r holding sheet '2H from movement toward the end wall 4 for a reason that "will later be explained. 'Off chur'sefthe 'fact 'that the "marginal portions of vtop wall l 'are vin the 'rabbe'ted upper edges of thefshe'et 20 coact's "with the projections 2'6 to hold sheetfZD stationary 'even though said sheet may, if desired, be 'cemented to 'the strips 25u. n( e V vThe sheet 2E! is preferably relatively thin at 21 `valong v'a central Vline extending longitudinally of said sheet and from this lcentral line the sheet becomes yprogressuie-1y thicker in directions 'opposite1y`outwardiynthereor toward tneside 'walls 2, `|3 (Fig. 4i). This progressively increasing thickness is such lthat the lower surfaces 28 at opposite sides offthe central :line 211 follows a curve that is preferably parabolic or 4soinew'l'iat similar to such curve an'clfsuriaces 2'8 are Vperfectly eimmetrical at opposite `"sides ofsai'd central line Said surfaces 28 are '-coated'with a light Vcolored Cpie'fer'ably white) coating of flat opaque paint, lacquer or fthe like that is visible from above the Vtop Vfiat surfaceof the sheet. -rlfhus the coating is of light reflecting material land col'or but preferably not silvered. t

Along 'each of vthe kthick side edges 29 of -the 'sheet 20 and preferably disposed Ywithin the Vprojected confines of said edges is an elongated fluorescent lamp tube 30 extending from end to end of said edges These tubes are `relatively close `fto said edges 429Y andare supported at their ends by brackets 3l -secured to 'bot-tom I.

It is pertinentto -note that thesa-i-d tub-es are separated from the space 32 (Figs. 2, 4*) vthat is below the sheet 20 by the `lchannel strips 25, thus the latter function as parti-tions -as well as Asuppoi'ts for the sheet 2i).

The end edge yofjsheet 2i) that is adjacent 'the end wall 4 Yis spacedfrom-the-edg'e'of the opening that is in top wall 6 and across which-sheet 29 extends, thus providing a slot 35 between said end edge of sheet 2G and the edge of said opening that is adjacent and parallel thereto.

Extending downwardly from the edge of the top 6 that defines one edge of slot 35 (Figs. 1, 2)

Vis' a curved guide member 3G of sheet material.

The concavely curved side of said guide member 'generally faces the end of sheet 20 that is adjacent thereto andthe bottom edge of said member extends below said end of sheet 2i) and on bottom l.

Between the member 36 and end wall 4 is a 'space 3'! (Fig. 2) that is separated from space 32 by member 36 and in this space are the conventional electrical accessories 3l necessary for starting the fluorescent lamps. The wires 38 (Fig- 5) that provide the electrical circuit in which the lamps and said accessories Vare disposed extend in the spaces 4Q (Fig. 4) -in which the lamps 36 are positioned and in space 37.

Any suitable switch il may be provided (Fig. 1) in one of the side walls or elsewhere for turning the lights on and oif and the electrical circuit may be 'connected with any 'suitable source of power for lighting the lamps.

As best seen in Figs. l 'and 4 the top wall 6 along the side wall 2 may be formed with a slot 44 parallel with said wall 2 and between said wall and the lamp 3G. e

Below slot 44 is an upwardly opening channel strip 45 the sides 48 of which 'are secured rto the under side of top wall 6. These sides 45 are preferably spaced slightly from the edges `of slot 44 and inturned marginal portions 47 on said sides extend to the edges of said slot. v

Extending across the top of sheet 2!) from said vslot vand at right angles to the length of said -sh'eet is a straight edge or ruler-like member 59 (Fig. l). O'ne end of said member 59 extends over slot `'44 and 'is secured to a block 5l that extends through said slot to an elongated carriage 52 (Fig, l) that is in said channel '45 and that has rollers 53 at its opposite ends 4engaging opposite sides 45 of said 'channel for holding said member 5! firmly at right angles to the vlength of sheet 2i] at all times. An upstanding knurled nut 55 may be threaded onto va post 56 extending yupwardly from said carriage 52 for frictional'ly securing the said 'carriage to the vedges of slot `44 and to the inturned marginal portions '411 'of sides 46 upon rotation of said nut. l.Also the nut may function as a handle for moving the carriage 52 in said channel vand thereby moving the member 5E! over sheet 29.

A hold down strip BU may also be extended across the sheet 2l) vfrom slot 44 and this strip may likewise have a thumb nut E! (Fig. v1) von a post E52 that extends through the said strip 69 and into channel strip 45. The end of said post in said channel may carry a plate 63 adapted to 'be drawn into frictional engagement with the inturned marginal portions 41 of the sides 46 when the nut El is turned in one direction so as to releasably hold strip 6U against movement.

Where the scope is used for .general purposes the-lamp tubes 30 are energizedand the light rays lfrom said tubes will pass into the sheet 20 through edges 29 and will be reflected through the upper iiat surface of said sheet. The light colored coating of surfaces -28 will be `brightly illuminated. Of course some of the direct rays from the tubes 30 Vmay pass directly through the sheet 20 without vreflection from the surfaces 28 but most of the rays and practically all of those near the center l2'! ofthe sheet will be reflected rays.

By reason of the curved surfaces 2B and by the arrangement described the illumination over the entire upper surface of the sheet 20 as viewed from above said surface is brilliant and uniform without being glaring. Also the iluorescent lamps provide a relatively cool white light and there is practically no heating cf sheet 20 nor the space 32 below said sheet. The slot 35 permits any heat that may be in spaces 40 to pass out of the latter into the atmosphere, although there is no objectionable heat created.

This substantially non-heating of sheet 20 is quite important in that the scope is for use with photographic film or wax coated stencils and other materials that must be kept relatively cool to prevent injury thereto.

When the scope is used for stencils as indicated in Fig. 2 the backing sheet 'l0 of the stencil may be slipped through slot 35 into space 32 while the wax coated stencil Tl may be positioned over the sheet 2li. A plurality of buttons 'l2 on the top wall 5 over space 31 and projecting upwardly from said wall may be engaged in the conventional openings provided in the end marginal portion of the Abacking sheet 'le for holding the stencil in correct position over sheet 2li. The ruler 50 and hold down member Eil are indicated in Fig. 2 as elevated above sheet 20 in order to clearly show stencil 1|. Actually the stencil l! would be flat on sheet 2li and the ruler 5e and member E0 would be against such stencil.

If desired, a drawer T6 having a curved inner end 'I1 may slidably extend through end wall -5 (Fig. 2) into the housing and spaced above bottom l to permit the backing sheet 'lil to pass thereunder. Such drawer may be used for holding any instruments or materials for use in connection with the industry in which the scope is used.

It is pertinent to note that the space 32 is also substantially free from heat from the lamps 3U by reason of the channel strips or partitions 25.

The use of uorescent lamp tubes is quite important apart from the relatively cool lightthey produce because of the uniformity and thickness of the source of illumination. Whereas filaments produce fine lines of light, the gas in the fluorescent lamps is like a thick rod of light. Thus the surfaces 28 receive rays of light from wide bands substantially extending across the edges 29 of sheet 2l) instead of fine filaments.

We claim:

1. A scope comprising a sheet of light transmitting material and a source of relatively cool uniform illumination extending along one edge thereof, one side of said sheet being flat to provide a working surface, the thickness of said sheet along said one edge being uniform, and the said sheet being uniformly. progressively thinner in a direction away from said one edge for a predetermined distance, the side of said sheet opposite said fiat side being covered With a flat, unsilvered light reflecting coating, and a housing extending from said one edge around said source of illumination substantially confining itsA rays against escape except through said one edge of said sheet for reiiection through said iiat working side.

2. A scope comprising a sheet of light transmitting material and a source of relatively cool unin form illumination extending along one edge thereof, one side of said sheet being flat. to provide a vvorkinflr surface, the thickness of said sheet along said one edge being uniform, and the said sheet being uniformly progressively thinner in a direction away from said one edge for a predetermined distance,.the side of said sheet opposite said flat side being covered With a flat, unsilvered light reilecting coating, and a housing extending from said one edge around said source of illumination substantially confining its rays against escape except through said one edge of said sheet for reflection through said flat working side, said source of illumination being a tubular fluorescent lamp bulb, said bulb being equally spaced from said one edge along its entire length and extending substantially the full length of said one edge in relatively close proximity thereto.

3. A scope comprising a sheet of light transmitting material and a source of relatively cool uniform illumination extending along one edge thereof, one side of said sheet being flat to provide a working surface, the thickness of said sheet along said one edge being uniform, and the said sheet being uniformly progressively thinner in a direction away from said one edge for a predetermined distance, the side of said sheet opposite said flat side being covered with a flat, unsilvered light reflecting coating, and a housing extending from said one edge around said source of illumination substantially confining its rays against escape except through said one edge of said sheet for reflection through said flat working side, said source of illumination being a tubular fluorescent lamp bulb, said bulb being disposed substantially Within the projected confines of said edge and relatively close to the latter.

4. A scope comprising a rectangular sheet'of light transmitting material and a source of relatively cool uniform illumination extending closely along one edge thereof parallel with said edge and disposed substantially within the projected confines thereof, one side of said sheet being flat providing a working surface and the opposite side being curved in a direction toward said working surface from said one edge whereby-the rays of light from said source will be reflected from said opposite side through said flat surface, and a light unsilvered coating covering said curved side for viewing through said flat surface,

5. A scope comprising a rectangular sheet of light transmitting material and a source of relatively cool uniform illumination extending closely along one edge thereof parallel with said edge and disposed substantially within the projected confines thereof, one side of said sheet being flat providing a working surface and the opposite side being curved in adirection toward` said working surface from said one edge whereby the rays of light from said source will be Vreflected from said opposite side through said flat surface, and a light unsilvered coating covering said curved side for viewing through said flat surface, a housing enclosing said source and provided `with a rectangular opening in one side thereof, said sheet being secured within said housing with its said flat surface substantially coplanar with the edges of said opening.

6. A scope comprising a rectangular sheet of light transmitting material and a source of relatively cool uniform illumination extending closely along one edge thereof parallel with said edge and disposed substantially within the projected confines thereof, one side of said sheet lbeing flat providing a working surface and the opposite side being curved in a direction toward said Working surface from said one edge whereby the rays of light from said source will be reflected from said opposite side through said flat surface, and a light unsilvered coating covering said curved side for viewing through said flat surface, a housing enclosing said source of illumination and provided with a rectangular opening in one side thereof, :said sheet being `secured within said fhousing with its said at surface substantially :coplanar with the edges of said opening, a slot 'in the housing along one of the edges of said sheet, a bottom wall in said housing spaced below 'the curved side of `said sheet, and guide means adjacent .said slot for guiding a sheet of paper into the space between said sheet of light 'transfmitting material and vsaid bottom wall whereby the 'backing'sheet of a stencil sheet maybe positioned between said sheet of light transmitting material `and said bottom wall when the stencil sheet is on said flat surface.

7. A scope comprising a substantially rectangular housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls, said vside walls being relatively narrow relative to said top and bottom walls, a rectangular openingformed in said top wall and a sheet vof light; transmitting material extending across said opening, said sheet having a flat working surfacesubstantially coplanar `with said top wall, said sheet being relatively thin along a central line v'equally spaced between two of its opposite edges and being progressively ithicker `from said line to 'said opposite edges whereby said opposite edgesare relatively thick, a source of uniform illumination within said housing and extending along each of said opposite edges 'substantially within the projectedconfines rthereof and substantially from end toend of said opposite edges.

`8. A scopeicomprising a substantially rectangular Yhousing having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls, said sidewalls being relativelynarrow relative tofsaid'topand bottom walls, a rectangular opening :formed in said top wall and a sheet of ylight transmitting Amaterial extending across said opening, said sheet having ka dat working surface substantially co-planar with said :top wall, said sheet being relatively thin Aalong a central line equally spaced between two of its opposite .edges and being progressively thicker fromsaid line to said opposite edges whereby said opposite edges are .relatively thick, a source of uniform illumination within said housing and extending along each of said opposite edges substantially within the projected Yconfines thereof and substantially from endto end of said opposite edges. thesurface o'f said sheet opposite said flat side being uniformly curved from said line to said two opposite edges, and a coating of opaque light colored `flat paint covering said curved surfaces so-extending from said line to said two edges.

v9. A scope comprising a substantially rectangular-housing having 'a top'wall, abottom wall and side walls-said side walls being relatively narrow relative to-saiditop and bottom walls,.a rectangular Yopening formed 'in said `top wall and -a sheet of `light transmitting material extending across said opening, said sheet having a fiat working surface substantially coplanar'with said top wall, said ysheet 'being relatively thin along a central lineequally spaced vbetween two of its opposite edges and ,being progressively thicker `from said line to :said opposite edges whereby said opposite `edges are relatively thick, a source of uniform illumination within said housing and extending along leach `of said opposite edges lsubstantially within the projected confines thereof and substantially `from end to end of said opposite edges, means for supporting said sheetspaced above said bottom wall, a slot along one edge of said sheet extending substantially between said opposite edgescommunicating with the space between said bottom wall `and said sheet whereby the backing sheetof a stencil sheet may be positioned between said sheet of light transmitting material and said bottom wall when said stencil sheet is on said flat surface of said sheet of light transmitting material.

10. A scope comprising a rectangular sheet of light transmitting material and a source of uniform illumination extending along two opposite edges thereof, one side of said sheet being flat to provide a working surface and the opposite side of said sheet being uniformly curved from each of said two opposite edges to the center of said sheet in a direction convergently relative to said flat side from said two edges, the said source of' illumination along each of'said two edges being substantially disposed within the projected connes of said edges, and means confining the light rays from each of said sources against escape except through the said two edges of said sheet.

11. A scope comprising a rectangular sheet of light transmitting material and a source of uniform illumination extending along two opposite edges thereof, one side of said sheet being nat to provide a working surface and the opposite side of said sheet being uniformly curved from each of said two opposite edges t0 the center of said sheet in a direction convergently relative to said flat side from said two edges, the said source of illumination along each of said two edges being substantially disposed within the projected confines of said edges, and means conning the light rays from each of said sources against escape except through the said two edges ofsaid sheet, the curve of each half of the surface opposite said flat surface rbeing substantially parabolic, and an opaque relatively light colored coating of material covering said side of said sheet opposite said at side for viewing of the light color of said coating through said at side,

12. A scope comprising a rectangular sheet of light transmitting material and a source of uniform illumination extending along two opposite edges thereof, one side of said sheet being flat to provide a working surface and the opposite side of said sheet being uniformly curved from each of said two opposite edges to the center of said sheet in a direction convergently relative to said flat side' from said two edges, the said source of illumination along each of said two edges being substantially disposed within the projected confines of said edges, and means confining the light rays from each of said sources against escape except through the said two edges of said sheet, said sheet being of transparent material, the said source of illumination along each of said edges being a tube of neon gas.

HENRY M. CARSCALLEN. RAY F. NEWTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,731,088 Abel Oct. 8, 1929 2,087,082 Brasseur July 13, 1937 2,187,574 Nigra Jan. 16, 1940 1,739,954 DuPont Dec. 17, 1929 1,862,087 Hyde et al June 7, 1932 1,994,519 James Mar. 19, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 552,318 Germany June 13, 1932 

